why you do not wash fabrics before cutting?
#71
Well.... I don't prewash either. In my opinion color catchers save oodles of time. I do prewash baby gifts or ones for people with severe allergies, though.
#72
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nawth o' Boston
Posts: 1,879
I know why some don't wash. Not due to laziness but lack of organisation. They turn up at a retailers to do a class and the first 30 mins of the lesson are wasted waiting for them to select, cut and purchase fabric for class.
As the tutor found this very annoying standing waiting, especially when they had had the requirements since they booked and pre washing and light starching was requested.
As the tutor found this very annoying standing waiting, especially when they had had the requirements since they booked and pre washing and light starching was requested.
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 847
I'm not about to pass on to anyone a quilt that may cause an allergic reaction. Especially to babies much less with so many dirty hands having touched the fabric. I get other tasks accomplished while the laundering of the fabric is going on. I would rather wash before hand the yardage before cutting versus a large piece that may bleed or shrink. Everyone has their preference. Was told yesterday, I was a bit of a germaphobe. Oh well. Still going to prewash.
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 390
Compromise
I don't like to iron wrinkled fabric, I don't like to cut off frayed thread balls, but I do pre-wash my own way. I don't use soap. I soak the fabric in the sink or bathtub in very hot water. If it bleeds, I soak and change water until it runs clear. I feel soaking removes much of the chemicals and the hot water does some shrinking. I don't squeeze or twist to create wrinkles. Then I lift the fabric out of the water, drain, and dry on a drying rack or on my porch railings. The fabric dries wrinkle free and requires no ironing and has no frayed threads. That is my compromise.
#77
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Indiana
Posts: 3,607
I made several quilts before finding this board and hearing that we are supposed to wash before starting a quilt. I wash with color catchers in my large top loader, when the quilt is finished. I have never had a problem. That includes a batik braid and a red and white log cabin. I don't have enough time to quilt as it is and I sure don't want to use the time I have ironing that fabric.
#78
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,472
I don't pre-wash simply because I don't see the benefit of washing out the sizing put on it at the factory only to turn around and douse it with starch/sizing all over again. I do wash the quilts before gifting them & to date, haven't had a problem with shrinkage. Technology has progressed such, that I don't think fabric today shrinks like it used to.
#79
I always wash my quilts after they are finished, so I don't see the need to do it before. Only two exceptions to that: first, I will wash flannel if it is for a backing to a cotton quilt, since they shrink differently, and second, if I do a project (i.e. round robin) where everyone else washes their fabrics.
#80
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 187
I prewashed everything one time because I was taking a class and it was part of the instructions. I haven't and won't since. I ended up using so much best press and it never did iron out as well as unwashed fabric. I prefer to wash the completed quilt with a color catcher..
May try a color catcher, though, with my Dancing with the Stars quilt, almost finished.
BTW: what's the opposite of irony? Wrinkly! Sorry, couldn't resist.
Hallie in NM
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